Do you constantly feel like you're battling issues of bad breath, and nothing seems to work? Many people suffer from halitosis for various reasons, and you may want to determine where your own problems stem from to properly get rid of it. Here are a few suggestions that - even though they seem obvious - some people overlook. Brush your teeth! Obvious? Yes - but some people still don’t brush their teeth effectively to get rid of halitosis. When you were a kid, did your dentist ever tell you to use an hourglass to figure out how long you should be brushing your teeth - about three minutes? This rule still applies. If your brushing sessions are much more brief and you forget to floss and scrape your tongue, you’re not getting rid of all the bacteria in your mouth that causes halitosis. Also, you need to make sure you are brushing your teeth at least two times a day! Throughout the day, you’re eating food, drinking sugary beverages or even smoking, which causes bad breath. If you aren’t cleaning out your mouth well enough, the bacteria in your mouth has a field day with the sugar and other “food” that gets left behind. Scraping your tongue is just as important as brushing your teeth, because thats where bacteria gets caught in your mouth - gross! Using alcohol free mouthwash will also better help target this bacteria. Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and alcohol You may be surprised that the toothpaste or mouthwash that you’re using actually contains these ingredients that make bad breathworse! Even if it has a "minty" taste, these ingredients dry out your mouth, which leads to bad breath. Using a natural toothpaste will help dramatically with bad breath because it works to target the bacteria that causes this issue without any added substances that are artificial. Get hydrated Drinking plenty of water is really important in helping fresh, non-offensive breath! Why? Because water helps wash down food that may be lingering in your mouth, plus it keeps your mouth moist. Saliva is a natural antibacterial that helps get rid of bacteria in the mouth because it flushes down food particles and sugar that is left on your teeth. Look at labels Chewing on gum or popping mints can actually be fairly addictive, but if you are prone to this habit, you should make sure there isn't sugar that is causing bad breath. Even though these products are often labeled as "breath freshening" they are just quick fixes. "Make sure to check the label and see that your gum is sugarless since bacteria in the mouth are apt to ferment sugar, thereby making your icky breathe even worse," Dr. Mitchell told She Knows. "While you're at it you might consider slashing sugar from the rest of your diet as well to freshen your breath." Stay healthy Bad breath is very often a side effect of a larger problem, and common colds or allergies are big culprits. The excessive mucus in your nose and throat contain bacteria that causes bad breath, and if your nose is stuffed up you'll likely be breathing through your mouth. This is a bad habit to fall into because it dries out the mouth and further creates bad breath. If you feel as though your sinuses are getting clogged, you may want to invest in breath freshening sinus drops and stick to a regimen of gargling with salt water. Salt water helps battle bad breath-causing, and will soothe your throat if it is irritating. It will also help break down thick mucus, which will help the breath become fresher and cleaner.